Your patella is your kneecap, and tendinitis is the inflammation and irritation of any tendon in your body. Patellar tendinitis affects a variety of athletes and is most common in sports where jumping is common, like basketball. However, patellar tendinitis is also common in cycling, where excessive stress and overuse of the knee can lead to injury.
Causes
Patellar tendinitis is caused by irritation of the tendons that connect your kneecap to your shinbone. For cyclists, any activity that puts a stressful load on the knee can cause the problem. Cycling in a hard-to-pedal, low gear; excessive cycling uphill; jumping your bike; and cycling too much without proper training are all possible causes of irritation and inflammation. Improper bike fit can also cause patellar tendinitis if it is restricting your knee's natural movement.
Symptoms
The most immediate symptom for patellar tendinitis is pain, particularly sharp pain around the knee when riding uphill or in a low gear. As the problem gets worse, you may experience dull pain at all times and sharper pain when you're not on the bike but are active, such as when walking or climbing stairs. In more severe cases, tendinitis may present with swelling and redness around the knee area.
Treatment
Initial treatment for patellar tendinitis is rest, elevation and ice to help reduce swelling and inflammation. Approximately two weeks of rest are adequate for riders with mild tendinitis, but this period may be increased due to the severity of your injury. In the most severe cases, where tendons actual tear from the bone, you may have to talk to your doctor about possible physical therapy or alternative treatments. Tendinitis this severe is usually diagnosed by chronic knee pain that does not go away after several weeks of rest.
Prevention
Prevention of patellar tendinitis involves a combination of behavioral and equipment changes. When riding, choose higher rotations-per-minute gears that are easier on the knees. Gradually work up the intensity of your cycling to strengthen your knee, training on hills that have mild slopes and avoiding exceptionally long rides. Finally, make sure your bike fits properly. You should be nearly able to fully extend your leg and knee at the farthest pedal point. If you are unsure about fitting, go to your local bike store and have a professional fit you to your bike.
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